By JULIUS PHIRI
in Mfuwe –
THE Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has embarked on the construction of 97 livestock service centres in Eastern Province at a cost of US$16 million to cater for the growing of livestock in the area.
Provincial veterinary officer Arthur Mumbolomena said the centres would be constructed around the province through the World Bank (WB) matching grants.
Dr Mumbolema said the project had been embarked on following the large number of livestock in the province and that currently, Mambwe District accounted for a larger population of goats in the region.
He was speaking when Malambo Member of Parliament (MP) Jacob Shuma visited Chisengu centre in Mambwe at the weekend.
Dr Mumbolomena said other activities like chicken and pig production would increase with the existence of livestock service centres.
“So far we have started implementing the construction of livestock service centres in all the districts in Eastern Province. Ninety-seven livestock service centres are expected to be constructed through the matching grant from the World Bank which funded the province with $16 million,” he said.
He said that construction of livestock service centres would also see the increase in the production of village chickens, broilers and layers in the province.
Dr Mumbolomena also said the construction of five dip tanks at a cost of K709,000 in Mambwe District was under way.
Mr Shuma, who was accompanied by Mambwe District Commissioner Caroline Mwanza, said the concept of the construction of livestock service centres and dip tanks by the Government was a good development.
He said the two initiatives would in turn yield positive results to the people of Malambo who had livestock.